TheOklahoma Soonersare in need of more playmakers in 2026. The offense relied on wide receiver Isaiah Sategna to make a lot of the plays last season, and he did, but he needs help.
That's why general manager Jim Nagy brought in key transfers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone. But a receiver getting a lot of attention this fall camp is actually a returning player. That would be second-year player Elijah Thomas.
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Thomas played in 13 games last season, mostly on special teams. He totaled eight tackles on the year. But now he's hoping to make an impact on the offensive side of the ball. Thomas spoke to members of the media and revealed what has changed in his approach.
Thomas enters 2026 with a much different opportunity than he had as a freshman. After spending most of last season on special teams, the second-year receiver is now looking to become a contributor in Oklahoma's passing game.
The Sooners added Harris and Livingstone to give Mateer more weapons, but developing returning players remains just as important. Thomas' increased confidence and maturity could give Oklahoma another option at wide receiver if he can translate that growth into production.
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Oklahoma's offense has to improve significantly in 2026 after ranking No. 92 nationally in total offense last season. Adding proven transfers can help, but the Sooners also need players already in the program to emerge.
That's what makes Thomas an intriguing player to watch during the final stages of the offseason. His new approach could give him a chance to go from a special teams contributor to a legitimate offensive playmaker, giving Mateer another target and making Oklahoma's offense more difficult to defend.
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Bishop Thomas runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Michael Fasusi (56), Eddy Pierre-Louis (55) and E'Marion Harris (76) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Eddy Pierre-Louis (55) and Darius Afalava (74) runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma players warm up during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten runs a drill with Jacob Jordan, left, during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Ace Hodges, right, and Gunnar Allen run a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Gunnar Allen (57), Ryan Fodje (70) and Caleb Nitta (60) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Bishop Thomas runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Kenny Ozowalu runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) and Jett Niu (15) pass the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma players warm up during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, right, hands the ball offl to Jonathan Hatton Jr. during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) tosses the ball to Jonathan Hatton Jr. (20) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s Xavier Robinson carries the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma’s DeZephen Walker carries the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) and Jett Niu (15) pass the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) stretches during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Bishop Thomas runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Oklahoma's Ben Arbuckle embraces the challenge of Kentucky on Saturday
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Michael Fasusi (56), Eddy Pierre-Louis (55) and E'Marion Harris (76) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Eddy Pierre-Louis (55) and Darius Afalava (74) runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma players warm up during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma tight ends coach Jason Witten runs a drill with Jacob Jordan, left, during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Ace Hodges, right, and Gunnar Allen run a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Gunnar Allen (57), Ryan Fodje (70) and Caleb Nitta (60) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Bishop Thomas runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Kenny Ozowalu runs a drill during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) and Jett Niu (15) pass the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma players warm up during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, right, hands the ball offl to Jonathan Hatton Jr. during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) tosses the ball to Jonathan Hatton Jr. (20) during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s Xavier Robinson carries the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma’s DeZephen Walker carries the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) and Jett Niu (15) pass the ball during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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Photos from Oklahoma Sooners fall camp practice
Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10) stretches during football practice for the OU Sooners at the stadium practice fields in Norman, Okla., Friday, August 7, 2026.
(NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)
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